Dayne Zorko has made the first move in Brisbane’s selection squeeze, declaring he will likely remain at half-back next season despite the looming return of several regulars who missed the AFL grand final.
A glance at the Lions’ swollen rehabilitation group shows what is driving their efforts to avoid becoming the fourth reigning premiers in five years to miss the next finals series.
Brutal conditions greeted the champions in their official pre-season return at a humid Springfield on Monday, although most senior players had shown up a week ago to run with the rookies.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Zorko is raring to defend not only the flag but also his position after becoming the oldest All Australian at 35 this year.
Confirming there are no current plans for a move from half-back, he said the motivation for most of the squad was staring them in the face.
“There were a lot of players, stalwarts, who missed out,” Zorko said of their injured players.
“They have to re-earn their spots in the side, but if they do we want them to experience the same thing.
“Over six years, the hardships and losses … it’d be great to recreate that feeling for them.”
A staggering 16 players ran in the rehabilitation group on Monday with Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Tom Doedee and Darcy Gardiner among them. All were moving freely after suffering long-term knee injuries early last season.
Draftee Sam Marshall and Levi Ashcroft are also pushing for AFL debuts, Marshall setting the pace to fill the void left by noted runner Harry Sharp, who was traded to Melbourne.
Veteran tall forward Sam Day, delisted by Gold Coast, has arrived as a potential replacement for the retired Joe Daniher.
“Get your work done now,” Zorko said of the players’ mentality.
“There’s a lot of guys coming back from rehab … and the majority are starters.
“So the guys on the track have to put their case forward.
“Match sim (simulation) is going to be interesting, isn’t it? I’m pretty excited for it to be honest.”
Collingwood’s failed defence this year saw them join 2022 champions Geelong and 2020 premiers Richmond as non-finalists the season after lifting the cup.
The Western Bulldogs were other reigning champions to miss the top eight in 2017, and 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games.
The Lions have been contenders since a breakout 2019 season and were narrowly beaten in last year’s decider against Collingwood, before overcoming a spate of key, early-season injuries and a poor start to manufacture an incredible premiership success story in 2024.
“There’s going to be talk about premiership hangovers and everything like that,” Zorko said.
“But this group has matured so much over the last six years (of finals campaigns), we’ve encountered so many scenarios but always come out and improved.
“So we just need to keep improving. We’d love to buck that trend and get back to that day in September again.”